Locking mechanism for binders



Sepf- 1, 1959 w. E. scHRoER ET A1.

` LOCKING MECHANISM FOR BINDERS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 16, 1956Sept. 1, 1959 w. E. scHRoER r-:T AL v 2,902,039

LocKNG MECHANISM FOR BINDERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v Filed July 16, 1956United States Patent O LOCKING MECHANISM FOR BINDERS Walter E. Schroer,Alton, Mo., Victor Trybnsk, Jr., East St. Louis, Ill., and Irvin H.Walling, St. Louis, Mo., assignors to Loose Leaf Metals Company, St.Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application July 16, 1956, SerialNo. '598,008

1 Claim. (Cl. 129-13) The present invention relates to loose leaf bindermetals, and more particularly to a novel locking mechanism for bindersof the separable type, such as are used in catalogs, manuals and thelike.

ln brief, the present novel locking mechanism includes a release leverbracket and a `lock-case bracket, which are secured to one of two bindermembers forming a catalog, parts manual, or the like. A release lever ispivotally mounted upon the release lever bracket and is operativelyconnected, for release of, a lock dog through the medium of a connectinglever pivotally mounted upon the release lever. The lock dog ispivotally disposed within a lock case in operative relation with a lockpost secured to the other binder member. The lock case is mounted uponthe lock-case bracket. A spring biases the lock dog into bitingengagement with the lock post. For separation of the binder members orfor relative movement thereof, the lock dog is released through pivotalmovement of the release lever.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel lockingmechanism for binders of the separable type which is positive in actionin retaining the binder members in selected relative positions, yetwhich may be readily released for separation or relative movementthereof.

Another object is to provide a novel locking mechanism for binders ofthe separable type which requires positive release for separation of thebinder members, but which permits assembly thereof Without the necessityof manual manipulation of the locking mechanism.

Other objects are to provide a novel locking mechanism for binders ofthe separable type which is simple in construction, which is adapted tofunction over a long period of time through numerous manipulationswithout any servicing requirement, which is adapted to functionserviceably with heavy catalogs, and the like, for its intendedfunction, and which otherwise fulfills the objects and advantages soughttherefor.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages are apparent from thefollowing description taken with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a plan view of a catalog incorporating the principles of thepresent invention;

Figure 2 is an end view thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on substantially theline 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views taken on substantiallythe lines 4 4, 5 5, 6-6, and 7-7 of Figure 3, Figures 6 and 7 being on afurther enlarged scale for clearer illustration of details;

Figure 8 is a View similar to Figure 3, illustrating the lockingmechanism in release position and the separable members of the binder inpartially released released relation;

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view on substantially the line 9-9 ofFigure 8, on the further enlarged scale of Figures 6 and 7;

Figures 10 and l1 are enlarged cross-sectional views taken onsubstantially the lines 10--10 and 11--11 of Figure 8;

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line12-12 of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is an isometric view of the release lever bracket;

Figure 14 is an isometric View of the lock case; and

Figure 15 is an isometric view of the connecting lever.

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numerals, 20indicates generally a locking mechanism incorporating the teachings ofthe present invention illustrated as operatively mounted in a separablecatalog binder generally designated 22.

The catalog 22 is of standard form and includes a top binder member 24and a bottom binder member 26, the former of which has secured theretoguide members 27 for the sliding reception of the latter member, as isclear from the drawings and as is well known. Sheet retaining posts 28are secured to the binder member 26. A posting bar 30 has securedthereto sheet-receiving posts 31 and pins 32 which enter suitableapertures 34 in the binder member 24.

The locking mechanism 20 comprises a lever case bracket 35 secured byrivets 36 to the binder member 24, as is clear from Figures 8 and 9. Arelease lever bracket 37 is welded or otherwise secured to the lock-casebracket 35 transversely thereof and adjacent the rivets 36. The releaselever bracket includes a stop llange 38 (Fig. 13).

A release lever 40 is pivotally mounted on the release lever bracket bya rivet 41 and is disposed to engage the stop flange 38 in one extremeposition of movement thereof Figs. 3, 4 and 8). The release leverincludes a thumb flange 42 and an interiorly located U-portion 43. Aconnecting lever 45 is pivotally connected to the bight of the U-portion43 by a rivet 46. At its free end, the connecting lever 45 has a T-head47 (Fig. 15.)

A lock case 50 (Fig. 14) is mounted upon the free end of the lock-casebracket 35 by means of integral tabs 51 which extend through suitableopenings in the lockcase bracket 35 and are peened over to secure thelock case 50 firmly in place. At each end of the lock case 56 is anelongated pivotal slot 52; along the juncture of one side and the top isan elongated slot 63; and aligned annular openings 54 are in the opposedsides.

As is clear from Figures 10-12, a lock dog 58 is disposed within thelock case 50 and includes an integral tab 59 disposed in each slot 52 topermit pivotal movement. Centrally of the lock dog 58 is an aperture 60which is in alignment with and of the same size as the openings 54. Atone end is a tab 61 having a flange portion 62 which extends into theend of a coil spring 64 mounted in the lock case 50 (Fig. 12), whichbiases the lock dog 58 about the axis of the pivot tabs 59. A U-shapedcutaway 66 of about the width of the elongated slot 53 is formed in theedge of the side of the loc-k dog 58 remote from the pivot tabs 59.

The connecting lever 45 extends through the elongated slot 53 andthrough the cutaway 66, and has the T-head 47 in engagement with thelock dog 5B. The relationship between the release lever 40, theconnecting lever 45, and the lock dog 58 is such that the horizontalposition of the release lever 40, as illustrated in Figure 8, effects aposition of the lock dog parallel with the top of the lock case 50.

A lock post 76 is mounted on the binder member 26 and extends throughthe openings 54 in the lock case 50 and through the aperture 60 in thelock dog 58 (Figs. 7 and 9-12). Under influence of the spring 64, thelock dog 58 normally maintains a biting engagement with the lock post 70to maintain the binder members 24 and 26 in the selected relationship.When the lock dog 58 is moved to the position parallel with the top ofthe lock case` 50 the lock post 70A is free and the binder members 24-and 26. may be fully or partially separated as desired. Since the bitingengagement of the lock dog 58 is a onedirectional engagement, the lockpost '70 may be reinserted thro-ugh thev opening 6i) without. therequire ment of manual manipulation of the `lock dog 58 through the.release lever 40. l

It is manifest from the foregoing that to release the Alocls dog 58, itis but necessary to depress the release lever 40 to the position ofFigure 8, whereupon the binder members. 24 and 26 may be separated. Oncethe release lever 40. is freed, the spring 64 will quickly return thelock dog 58. into biting engagement with the lock post 10 to secure thebinder members 24V and 26 in the selected positions of movement, suchas. that of Figure 8.

It. is manifest that there has been provided a novel locking mechanismfor separable binders, which fulfills the object and advantages. soughttherefor.

It isA to be; understood thattthe foregoing description and theaccompanying drawings have been given by way of illustration, andexample It is also to be understood that changes in form` ofl theelements, rearrangement of parts,l and substitution of equivalentelements, which will be obvious` to those skilled in the art, arecontemplated as Within the scope of the present invention which islimited only by the claim which follows.

Whatis claimed is:

In, combination, a. binder metal having two relativelyr movable members,and a locking device releasably maintaining said movable members inselected relation comprising a lock post secured to one of said movablemembers,v a lock case secured to the` other movable member, said :lockcase including opposed end walls, opposed side walls and a top wall,opposed slots in said end Walls, opposed openings in said side walls,opposed slots in said side walls, a lock dog plate in said lock caseincluding integral opposed tabs pivotallyv engaging said opposed slotsin said end Walls, said lock dog plate including an aperture inalignment with said opposed openings in said side walls, said lock dogplate also including a cutawayy in the edge remote from the pivotaltabs, said lock post extending threugh said opposed openings i'nsaid?locl'; case and through said aligned aperturev in said lock dog plate,said lock plate in one. extreme position of movement bitingly engagingsaid lock post, spring means within said lock case engaging said lockdog plate and biasing it into biting engagement with said lock post, alock dog plate release lever pivotally mounted on the other movablemember, and a connecting link pivotallyy connected to said release leverincluding a T-head' portion disposed beneath said lock dog plate, saidconnecting lever being disposed in said cutaway of said lock dog plateand extending through a slot in one side wall.

References Cited in the file of this patentr UNITED STATES PATENTS UngerMar. 30, 1943 Schade Aug. 24, 1948 Vevier May 22, 1951

